Fire officials declared building safe after 1 worker died following ammonia leak in Norwood

NORWOOD, Mass. — Norwood Fire officials deemed Home Food Markets safe to return days after a deadly ammonia leak killed one worker and hospitalized another.

According to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, authorities received a call shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Monday for an ammonia leak at a food processing facility on Morgan Drive. A preliminary investigation revealed that two men were working for an outside contractor when the ammonia leak began.

One of the men, 68-year-old Richard Arguin, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was rushed to Good Samaritan Medical Center for specialized treatment.

The event was declared a Tier 2 Hazardous Materials incident and the Department of Fire Services deployed HazMat teams with specialized personnel, equipment, and apparatus to assist Norwood Fire over the last couple of days due to the high concentrations of ammonia found.

State and local HazMat teams responded to the site on Tuesday for a Tier 1 HazMat Incident, which was later elevated to Tier 2 after they found and secured a remaining valve. Officials let the building vent overnight and returned on Wednesday for a Tier 1 HazMat response where firefighters declared the building to be safe and released it to Home Food Markets.

“There were so many departments and people that were integral in securing this space and making it safe to enter, and I am extremely grateful to each and every one of our local and state partners for their efficient and professional response,” Chief Hayes said. “I also would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of the individual that lost his life due to this tragic incident.”

This incident remains under investigation by Norwood Police and Fire, State Police detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, OSHA, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2022 Cox Media Group